Elbridge Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
Buffer Strips and Screening
§ 265-24 Purpose.
The provisions of this article are intended to separate and shield negative impacts of adjacent uses.
§ 265-25 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A BUFFER STRIP
A landscaped strip of land contiguous to a lot line and designed to visibly separate the use of one lot from another.
SCREENING
A wall, fence, earthen berm, planting, architectural feature, or combination of such elements designed and used to muffle noise, shield light or otherwise minimize the activity migration from one lot toward another lot or toward the street.
§ 265-26 Required buffer strips.
A.
A buffer strip 25 feet in width shall be provided upon all residential lots at the side or rear lot line if the use of said lot is other than agriculture or single-family dwelling. This strip shall be in addition to any other required yard as specified in the district regulations.
B.
A buffer strip 25 feet in width shall be provided upon all fixed zone nonresidential lots which abut a fixed zone residential lot at the side or rear lot line. This buffer strip shall be in addition to any other required yard as specified in the district regulations.
C.
The Planning Board shall require an appropriately sized buffer strip at the sides and rear of all floating districts with appropriate screening placed thereon as may be necessary in order to fulfill the intentions of the provisions of this article.
§ 265-27 Buffer strip restrictions.
A.
No parking area, building, or other structure or paved area except a side walk, wall or fence shall be permitted in any buffer strip.
B.
No storage or display of goods shall be permitted in any buffer strip.
§ 265-28 Buffer strip landscaping.
All buffer strips shall be landscaped as follows:
A.
Each buffer strip shall be planted with at least two trees and/or shrubs every 10 linear feet. The remainder of each buffer strip shall be landscaped in grass, ground cover, or other vegetation. If woodlands are relocated within the required landscaped area, preservation may substitute for the required trees and/or shrubs. If woodlands are located in only part of the required landscaped area, the number of trees and/or shrubs required may be proportionally reduced.
B.
All vegetation shall be planted according to accepted horticultural standards.
C.
Landscaping of buffer strips shall not interfere in any manner with either on-site or off-site traffic visibility.
§ 265-29 Buffer strip maintenance.
The owner and occupant of property upon which a buffer strip is located shall maintain the buffer strip in such a manner as to preserve its intended function and appearance.
§ 265-30 Screening required.
Screening shall be required by the Planning Board as shall be determined by it to be necessary pursuant to Article XII.